Daniel, you’ve basically been the mayor of Tirol since September – how did that happen?

“That was in the lead-up to the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon, when we were filming ‘On the Road to the Ötzi’ stories for social media. And I just said, ‘If we, as Tyroleans, win the Ötztaler, you’ll become the mayor of Tirol.’ That kind of made the rounds, and people really took to it – I didn’t even realize it at the time myself. So now, I guess I’m the mayor of Tirol.”

The Ötztaler was your first big highlight of the season, and winning it was your ultimate goal – one you prepared for with precision right up to the end. How did you feel afterwards?

I couldn’t believe it myself for the first few days. It was all just indescribable. Looking back, I think: everything just clicked at the Ötztaler. From the first minute to the very end. The bike was perfect, the support was spot on. I was truly in the shape of my life.

How did things progress after that, and what significance does the Gravel World Championship hold for you at this point?

Honestly, after the Ötzi, I was surprised I didn’t get sick – all the tension just dropped away afterwards. Still, I managed to stay focused, and by now, switching from the road bike back to gravel is no problem anymore. The course at the Gravel European Championships in Italy was really demanding, and I’m satisfied with my 10th place finish, even though I believe I could’ve placed higher without the mechanical issue. I qualified early on for the World Championships, so it quickly became clear: that’s my second big goal for this season!

Daniel will compete in the Men’s Elite race on October 12th. The total distance: 180 kilometers over 3.5 laps. Start time: 11:45 AM..

“Sarah, what does participating in the Gravel World Championship mean to you?”

By taking part in the World Championship, I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream – my third, to be exact. Alongside the wish to race for a foreign pro team and the dream of riding a Grand Tour, competing in a World Championship ranks at the very top of my list. I’m looking forward to a tough race, an intense end to the season, and that ‘my moment’ feeling at the finish line.

How do you expect the World Championship to unfold for you?

My whole family will be traveling with me to the Netherlands. Their support means the world to me because they know me better than anyone else. They give me the calm I need and remind me where I come from – the little girl who once dreamed of standing at the start line in the national jersey alongside the ‘big names.’ Besides my family, my closest friends at home are cheering me on, which means a lot to me, as does the support from our team and Pushbikers chef Christian, who will be there trackside.

What do you think about the challenges you’ll face?

In terms of distance, the course is comparable to the previous World Series races. What could be challenging, however, is the weather—possibly cold, typical autumn conditions in the Netherlands, which are anything but predictable. The competition will also be on a whole different level: while you recognize the faces from other races, on this day the ‘best of the best’ will be lined up at the start, all fighting for the title.

Is gravel your ‘new way of life’?

Especially through the races in Australia, I was able to regain my confidence on the road and reconnect with road racing. Still, gravel remains something truly special to me. It’s this mix of adventure, freedom, and unpredictability – taking new paths, off the beaten track, through nature. The spirit of the often chaotic gravel races feels real and authentic to me. It’s the toughness, the long distances, the physical and mental limits that drive me. That’s what I train harder for, that’s where I push myself beyond my limits. After the World Championship, I’m looking forward to quieter days when I can swap race numbers for my bikepacking backpacks – just riding off without a real destination, simply being in the moment.

Sarah will start on October 11th in the women’s 19-34 age group. The total distance: 131 kilometers over 2.5 laps. Start time: 11:20 AM.